Your
unbiased neutral
resource for detailed and in-depth analysis and information on oxygen
therapy, home oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen concentrators and all
types of portable oxygen equipment - to help you understand your oxygen
needs and available portable oxygen systems, so that you can get their full benefit.

A portable oxygen system provides
you with the freedom to leave your home and move about untethered, leading
to a full and active lifestyle.

This presentation,
titled "Motoring with Oxygen, is
viewable online. It was
created and moderated by Pete Wilson in 2005, and describes how
you can have a good time traveling without worrying about your
oxygen.
His advice and guidance remains timeless - a testimonial to his
knowledge and vision.

Single
Page
Portable Oxygen Concentrator chart
This version is best for online viewing

2 Page PDF
version of the
Personal Oxygen Concentrator chart
for printing on letter size paper.

NOTE: If you do not plan on flying,
you may not need a portable oxygen concentrator.
Please check out the information on liquid and compressed
portable
oxygen systems. They may be better suited to most needs.

FAA Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs)

The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has established the requirement that
passengers needing medical oxygen now have the option of using any of
the twenty one approved portable oxygen concentrators while traveling on
aircraft.

NOTE: Certain SeQual models may not fit under the seats of
some airlines.
Check
with the airline well in advance.

VBox Trooper

2/10/2014

July 6, 2010 - Medicare Update

Beginning Jan 2011, competitive
bidding will replace the current "standard fee" system in selected
areas. This was briefly implemented in 2008, then stopped by
congress with the passing of the Medicare Improvements for
Patients and Providers Act. This marks the beginning of
implementing Medicare's competitive bidding program, which will be
used to determine the price Medicare pays for certain durable
medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies

The cuts will go into effect at the beginning of 2011 in the
following cities: Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Dallas;
Kansas City, Mo.; Miami; Orlando; Pittsburgh; and Riverside,
Calif.

It is anticipated that it will result in a 31-32% reduction in
the rates for the DME suppliers.

The American Association for Homecare, which opposes
competitive bidding, said the new bidding program relies on
"suicide bids" that will drive DME suppliers out of business.

Medicare also claims that the new competitive bidding program,
which will eventually expand to 91 regions in mid-2012, will help
lower costs of the system by32 percent. Since patients pay on a
percentage basis (up to 20 percent of the costs) , if Medicare
sets lower prices than the consumer also pays less.

Guidelines for Flying with Oxygen:
Starting May 13, 2009 - there are some new rules - 3 most important
ones:

1) You will
need a doctors authorization form. Some airline require their
form be used - Most require the authorization on the doctor's
letterhead.

your doctor's name and contact information

the lung condition that makes oxygen necessary

approval for air travel

verification of the need for oxygen in flight

the required oxygen flow rate in liters per minute for
takeoff, in flight, and landing

2) You should carry your O2 prescriptions (some airlines require it
to be written within 10 days of your 1st leg of your trip - not all
airlines require the script). Note: You do not need new
prescriptions for the balance of a trip.

3) You will be required to carry enough POC batteries to last 150% of predicted
length of your flight.

New Oxygen
Guidelines from Medicare

As a result the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of
2008, there were several changes effecting services on or after January 1,
2009. The changes are being made to comply with the Act's requirements,
but also take into account the patients needs for life-sustaining oxygen.

This website was created by Dr. Peter Wilson, a COPD
patient receiving Long Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT). Though retired, he
had a Ph.D. and a background in instructional development. He created
this website to help patients and health care professionals deal with
the many complex issues of oxygen therapy. His detailed and in-depth
analysis and information on oxygen therapy qualified Dr. Wilson to be
considered an authority in this field. The value of this website as a
resource both for patients and for health care providers will
continue, not simply in a historical nature keeping the original
format and information, but as an active source
of current information, focusing primarily on the practical aspects of
oxygen therapy.

The
American Thoracic Society (ATS) selected this web site as "Best Web Site" in its PulmonaryRehabilitation
category with a four-star rating.

According to ATS, a 4-star site, "is an excellent
site with much useful
information. It should be worthy of being 'book-marked.' Most of the
subcategory ratings are good to excellent. It may be the best in its
field. All of the material is reliable, authoritative, current and
useful."